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Dana Meyer gained her wings on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 surrounded by loved ones. She was born Sunday, March 2, 1958 in Chelan, Washington. Her parents were Le Ann Severin and Ron Dexter. She had lived in Washington State until 31 years ago when she decided to relocate her family to Oklahoma.
It is hard to find the words to describe Dana as there are so many. She was a daughter, a sister, a mother, a grandma, a friend, a mentor and so much more. She was educated and driven. She was stubborn and strong willed. She was a fierce fighter and never let anything stop her. She was selfless and taught us to have compassion for others. She showed us how to be positive and not let anything stand in the way as we watched her go through dialysis, two kidney transplants and multiple surgeries. Through it all she stayed kind and patient making sure every person who helped care for her looked forward to coming to her room as she remembered their names and got to know them and shared her stories of travel. She always had a trip planned (usually multiple) so she would have something to look forward to. When others would have given up, she dug her heels in and showed us nothing would stop her. She literally would plan her trip and where or how to have her dialysis equipment ready wherever she was traveling to and she was not giving up and was going to live life to its fullest. She did not take life for granted and made the most of the 18 years with a successful kidney transplant.
She had many jobs in her lifetime but the ones she enjoyed most was owning a t-shirt shop with her friend Margaret in Washington and then after moving to Oklahoma owned a gift basket business. She later became a travel agent after she had been booking trips for friends and family for many years. She also owned a photo booth business which in many ways became a family affair as Tom, her kids and grandkids have all helped with over the years. Each of these jobs were important to her. She enjoyed helping others create special moments and memories.
Dana had a gypsy soul from the time she was a child. She LOVED to travel and try new things, but more importantly, enjoyed sharing those moments with others. From the time her kids were little, she had taken them on many trips both big and small. As they got older, the trips got bigger and she enjoyed watching them experience new things. She passed the love of travel not only to her kids, but also her grandkids and friends. The more the merrier was her philosophy. And there was always a good time to be had. She ensured that by having all the details worked out. Her love of travel took her to many countries, she had visited every continent including Antarctica and all of the 50 states. She created so many memories that will last a lifetime for her family and friends.
Dana was also a daredevil. She loved the adrenaline rush. She took her kids and grandkids to adventure parks, making sure they also had a love of rollercoasters and so much more. She bungee jumped, skydived, rode in a hot air balloon, zip lined and even drove a race car.
Dana loved her family and loved spending time with them. She was the parent who sheltered her kids when they were little, helped them grow to be independent and taught them how to be compassionate to everyone. She instilled so many values and taught life skills to them. She made sure each grandkid felt special and planned something with just them for their birthday. She let the kids pick. It may be a concert, a movie, bowling or anything else. She was the glue that kept everyone together and was the person who kept in touch with everyone across many states.
Dana was preceded in death by her husband Dan Meyer, son Joshua Lowery, her parents Don and Le Ann Ricks and Ron and Joanie Dexter as well as many others such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and others.
Dana leaves behind her daughter Crystal Keeney and her 2 children Tia and Tanna Thomas. Her son Jason Lowery, wife Lindsey and their 6 children, Jacey, Kason, Lexey, Hadley, Ellie and Beckham. Her siblings Jenny Downes, Nick Dexter, Mark Dexter and Jimmy Ricks as well as many cousins, other relatives and dear friends. Dana also leaves behind Tom Liwai. She was lucky enough to find a once in a lifetime kind of love later in life after much loss. Thomas was many things to not only her but everyone in her life. For her, he was the person who was there for her through some of the darkest days of her life and was her adventure partner, travel companion, her confidant and her caretaker.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 PM on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center located at 217 N. 2nd Ave. in Durant.
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